Hi, everyone. I am in the process of building a new computer. My current one (XP Home, SP2) is more than 5 years old and slowing down considerably (I’m not quite sure why it does that). The new computer should last me for many more years (quad-core, faster hard drives, etc.).
My intent is to install a new version of XP on the new computer, upgrade to SP3 and somehow migrate my existing applications from the old computer. I have looked into PC Mover but it is not highly rated (although there is a newer version available). I could clone my old hard drive and load it on the new computer but all of the junk would come with it so I don’t think that is a good idea.
Does anyone have any positive experience with PC Mover that they can share? Or, are there other applications out there that are recommended? Alternatively, is there a different forum which might be more appropriate?
I have many applications (mostly games) that I am not even sure I could reinstall, but that I play/use frequently.
Any recommendations will be much appreciated.
NOTE to mods: I am hoping for a specific answer to the question, but it may be more appropriate in IMHO. If you believe so, please move it for me.
Seconded. Unless you have some oddball peripheral that simply will not work with Vista, or you need to use some crappy website that will work with nothing but IE 6, there’s really no reason to use the deprecated, out-of-date XP on a brand new computer.
Anyway, the easiest (and cheapest) method is to install all the new stuff by hand, and use the programs’ export/import settings feature to get all that over. Programs like PC Mover always have the flaw that they can only move stuff for programs that they’re aware of—and the odds are good that you have more than one program that it’s never heard of. Save your money and do it by hand. The degree of automation those programs offer does not justify their cost, IMO.
Either Vista or Windows 7 would be fine. Every complaint I have heard about Vista is either not enough memory (the minimum requirements MS says for Vista are ridiculous) or software not working.
I would wait and just put Windows 7. Can you still download a free beta version of Windows 7?
A good stop gap solution is ordering a free Ubantu disc (or download it) and making the new computer Linux. That way once you get the new computer all running as you like if yoiu choose not to keep Linux you can install a version of Windows you like.
I understand some people like their old OS. I had an old computer with Win95, that I wore out. I just liked Win95.
If you really cannot reinstall critical software then you’re going to have to try transplanting. Put install sets for all the drivers for the new machine on your existing HDD. Clone your existing HDD onto the new HDD. Remove the old HDD and put it somewhere safe. Boot off the new HDD on the old machine and go into Device Manager in Safe Mode. Delete all hardware which doesn’t exist on the new system - chipset, video, NIC, etc - and shut down. Move the HDD to the new system and fire it up. If all works well - I give this about a 50% chance of working - it should autodetect everything. You will be asked to reactivate Windows. Double-check to ensure that all four cores are being recognised. If they’re not, you’ll need to replace the HAL, which is done by pressing F7 (maybe Shift F7) right at the start.
The OP is not about operating systems, just applications. The main reason I am installing XP on the new machine is because I like it and EVERYTHING I have now works correctly. I do not want to experiment with Vista at this point in time.
Please stick to the problem to migrating applications.
A method with a greater chance of success than a transplant but requires more work is an upgrade install. Add driver install sets and duplicate the drive. Create a XP CD with SP3 slipstreamed (so it works with SATA). Put the new drive in the new machine, then boot off your XP+SP3 CD and see if it offers you an upgrade install. It should be listed as ‘Upgrade your existing version of Windows’ or similar.
Despite SP3, you may need to go into the new PC’s BIOS and set the SATA mode to ‘Compatible’ to get XP to see the drive.
do not go well together. Stick to XP or you’ll be in for a nightmare of software compatibility issues. Games are the most likely type of software to have compatibility problems.
I’d also recommend just re-installing everything. It’s the best way to get everything over to the new computer without copying any junk from the old system.
Install XP and do the upgrade to SP3 first. If XP won’t install, go the slipstream route that Quartz recommended. You’ll have to download SP3 from microsoft before you make your slipstream CD.
If you can’t reinstall the games, what usually works is copying the entire game directory, then go into the registry and look for any entries for that game (it will usually be listed under the software manufacturer). Export the registry entries, copy the game folders to the new machine, and then import the registry entries to the new machine.
Don’tcha just love the way questions can provoke non-responsive answers sometimes?
Q: Can anyone suggest a good way to brighten up the paint job on my blue car?
A: Why not paint it red?
Back to the OP. In my experience, many games do not adhere to MS installation recommendations. Instead of using InstallShield, they have their own program to create their own configuration files based on your specific hardware, especially video and sound cards.
Even if you knew those filename(s) and location(s), and could duplicate that on the new rig, with different hardware now you might still be SOL.
OTOH, if the install is “well behaved” and makes registry entries, you’re still kinda screwed. You wouldn’t want to drag along that old registry with all its accumulated faults.
Thanks Al B. Itt and others. With any other operating system it would just be a matter of moving the folder containing the program to the new computer. The problem with MS is, of course, the registry and the single point for all the DLL files.
I guess I can reinstall. I have all of the downloaded files for the programs. The problem is that I can’t always recognize what they are. Some of the games (especially those from Big Fish) have just a strange title not related to the name of the game. I am going to have a problem with these, but I guess reinstalling is the best solution.
For those suggesting new OSes. I will never install Vista. Once Windows 7 is stable and running properly, I will consider installing that.
My problem with Vista is that I am the only person who uses my computer and I do NOT need an operating system questioning every move I make. It is my computer. If I want to fuck it up, I want to be able to do it without complaints from a program. I am very careful about viruses and other stuff, and I have a Linux computer running the firewall for me.
Well, this isn’t a place for a Microsoft rant.
Thanks to all who replied with answers which actually addressed the OP.
Just a WAG: is it possible to copy the registry? Would that do the job?
I have the same problem with apps that cannot be installed under Vista. One comes with an install program on a CD, but Vista will not allow the setup.exe program to run. (Yes, it will run using a command prompt, but that just illustrates the problems).